Boondocks Dining Room and Lounge in Eastern Passage has a new owner who plans to reopen Friday.

Jamie Rouse, who owns Ma Belle’s Cafe on Ochterloney Street in Dartmouth, paid about $250,000 for the Fisherman’s Cove business that seats 150 people inside and another 120 outside when the sun shines.

It had closed in December.

“The reputation wasn’t as good as it should have been; it could have been a lot better,” the Cow Bay resident said Tuesday.

The business has been owned by several people over the last 15 years, Rouse said.

“We’re trying to take it back to the good old days,” he said.

“We’re trying to gear it very much toward the local customer, as opposed to being a tourist destination.”

Most of the offerings will be made in-house, and the rest will be sourced locally, he said.

“We’re using every available local place that we can.”

Getaway Farm will supply the meat and Rouse is talking to Garrison Brewing and Propeller Brewing about carrying their beers.

“I’ve used Pat’s Preserves in Eastern Passage for the last couple of years, and it’s the best jam you will ever, ever get.”

Originally from Stratford-upon-Avon, England, Rouse and his wife, Fran, moved to Canada a dozen years ago. Between them, they have 39 years’ experience in the food business.

“I will be here; my wife will be at the cafe,” Rouse said in a telephone interview from Boondocks.

“Our daughter also is at the cafe and her fiance is here. It’s a family-type situation.”

Boondocks will have a staff of about 18 when it opens, although that could grow to 20.

The menu will include burgers, steaks, fish, lobster, chicken and vegetarian options. Entrees will range in price from $12 to $22.

Rouse hired Peter Boudreau, who owned The Fish Shop at Pier 20 which closed in January, as his executive chef.

“Everything just seemed to click into place,” Rouse said. “He lives five minutes down the road from here. He’s got the same philosophy on food. It’s just a perfect marriage.”